GSSS, Shoghi to be converted into model school

The Government Senior Secondary School in Shogi will soon be converted into a model school on the lines of Portmore School, Shimla. This was announced by chief minister Virbhadra Singh, who also instructed the education department to construct a new science block at the school. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the under-19 zonal sports tournament at the school on Friday.

"Sports play an important role in shaping the personality of an individual and instilling a sense of discipline, decorum and responsibility towards the society", he said. He added the government was considering a proposal to change the dress code in state-run schools to that adopted in private schools. The chief minister distributed prizes to the students and also announced a grant of Rs 20,000 for cultural activities at the school.

Virbhadra said he had asked the Shimla deputy commissioner and the head of the state marketing board to identify land suitable for construction of a vetetable market near the Shoghi area.

The chief minister reiterated the government's commitment to accord top priority to the education sector. "Efforts are on to provide state-of-the-art educational facilities to students, especially girls, at places that are nearer their homes," he added.

He stated 14 new degree colleges had been set up during the present term of the government in far flung and rural areas of the state. "Besides, steps have been taken to provide more facilities for female students who now outnumber men in colleges. Apart from this, the government is also considering a proposal to construct hostels in colleges in far flung areas of the state", he added.

Earlier, the chief minister inaugurated the primary health centre at Tutu and also laid the foundation stone for a vegetable market to be constructed in the locality at a cost of Rs.5.50 crore. He also inaugurated a Rs 20.15 lakh 'ayurvedic' dispensary and announced a sewerage scheme for the Totu township.

He also laid the foundation stone for a laid the foundation stone for a Rs 11 crore science learning centre at Anandpur in Shogi. Besides state-of-art laboratories the centre will have a remote sensing centre, a science museum, a biodiversity park and a planetarium.

The chief minister also inaugurated a road from Chauri Ki Ghatti to Charauu and also flagged off a bus service on the route.